Tsuglagkhang Complex
I am living just down the hill from the Tsuglagkhang Complex, usually referred to as "the temple." It's more than a temple, but it's the temples that draw most people to the complex. Well, the temples and the Dalai Lama.




The public enters through this gate. There's a short walk that takes you past the museum where the history of the Tibetan exile is explained. A bit further you pass through a security check, and then you step out into this courtyard. The courtyard is being covered so that when the Dalai Lama gives teachings people are protected from the weather, or at least we think that's the reason. The doors to the left are to classrooms where I have seen monks at study. Straight ahead behind a closed guarded gate and stretching up the hill, it looks like there is housing. I think this is where the Dalai Lama resides and perhaps the Namgyal monks also.

Across from those buildings and to your right as you face the courtyard there are the temples. On this floor though and through those wooden doors is a large raised seat. It is covered now, as are those in the temples upstairs. From these seats teachings are given.

Upstairs are the two temples. The one on the left behind the closed doors you can enter around the corner. Photos are not allowed in this temple. The front walls are covered with mandala paintings, like a mural.

The temple on the right with the open door may be photographed. Here is a picture from that door. Last week this room was filled with large colorful robes, mats, instruments and desks like the one the monk in the back left is sitting at. I was surprised to see the emptied room this week. The shelves on either side of the Buddha are packed with Buddhist scriptures. In an alcove at the front left are 2 statues: one is the goddess of compassion, the patron deity of the Tibetans, and the other statue is the Indian scholar who brought Buddhist teachings to Tibet. Notice the covered seat in front of the Buddha.

As I was taking these photos I realized kora, the ritual circuit, was being performed around the two temples. There are even prayer wheels in the back. One of my conversation students says she likes to perform kora there.


There's another place for kora. It's outside and circles the complex and more. I have walked this kora several times. For me, it begins half way up the hill from where I live. There are always others on the path. Some are intent on their mind, body, speech practice. Some come with a friend and are a bit more social in their approach.

Here are some photos taken along the walk. People have left prayer flags, engravings and other symbols of their hopes.

As you finish the outside kora you come up to the Tsuglagkang buildings. The first one houses the Namgyal Cafe where the Namgyal gompa/monastery provides vocational training for Tibetan refugees. They serve a great pizza.

A bit further on will be the gate where the public enters the complex. A few pass the gate, walk half way down the hill and begin another, and perhaps then another, kora.

The Dalai Lama is not here this week. He left on Sunday for America.

I too am leaving. Saturday, April 25, I'm going to Delhi to meet up with Jolie. We will see Delhi, the Taj Mahal in Agra and then Varanasi- a very holy place for Hindu. On May 6 Jolie will return home and I will return to McLeod Ganj for another month of teaching before I return home. Watch for more postings after May 6th. Until then I'll be checking e-mail only.

Love to all........